Singer and broadcaster Tom Robinson talks to Leonie Mellinger about having the courage to speak out for gay rights in the 1970s, and performs his best-known protest songs live on the podcast.
Tom Robinson was Britain’s first openly gay rock musician, writing Good to be Gay in 1975, then three years later the iconic Glad to be Gay reached number 18 in the UK charts as part of the Tom Robinson Band’s Rising Free EP.
Tom tells Leonie how he came to create those songs and discusses how he became an activist alongside his music career. He reflects on his own profound mental health issues and the difficulties that gay men faced in the 60s, 70s and 80s.
And he explains about the prejudice he experienced after falling in love with a woman, the tabloid intrusion around his relationship with Sue and the birth of their first child, and how all of it impacted on his life, activism and music.
Tom is touring the UK during October and November 2025. Tour dates and tickets are available at www.tomrobinson.com
Music and lyrics for Good to be Gay and Glad to be Gay are by Tom Robinson.
With thanks to Tony Mccallum and BMG for permission to use them in this episode.
If you would like to contact the podcast team to discuss sponsorship or advertising please send an email to info@thecouragetospeak.com
Follow us on Instagram: @the_couragetospeakand @leoniemellinger
The Courage to Speak is from Leonie Mellinger Ltd.
It is produced by Square Elephant Productions with Danny Garlick.
Theme music composed by Guy Pearson.